We have learned of an incident involving the vessel ARIS 13, a Comoros flag, 1990/91 built, 1,188gt fully cellular containership, on a voyage from Djibouti to Mogadishu.

Having previously called at Sri Lanka, ARIS 13 was apparently fully laden and sailing from Djibouti to Mogadishu. The EU Naval Force have advised that the vessel's Captain reported to Owners that ARIS 13 had been approached by two skiffs and that they could identify armed personnel on board one of these.

Contrary to earlier reports, we understand that the vessel, with crew of eight Sri Lankans, has been taken to the coastal town of Aluula, where she is currently moored and a ransom demand has been issued, although the figure is not yet known.

This incident may be of particular interest to the global maritime community because of the risk of heralding a “new wave” of pirate activity in the region, being the first of its kind since 2012.